Funny thing is when I wanted to run a marathon I did a shit load of training, paid money and entered one.

When I wanted to do a hard to enter marathon I ran faster and bypassed any ballots.

I didn't need to canvas friends(Good job as I don't have any) or get a sponsor or need a great excuse for why it should be me with no experience who gets a free entry when somebody most likely far more deserving misses out.

and to those who say they thought the forums were friendly.the comments on here are friendly.......

This isn't fetch

some of the threads on RW are very encouraging and friendly and have supported groups for years.......others are much more heated and can be aggressive

you have to be able to train in a glassbowl for the next 4 months......some of the threads in the last few years of the asics 5/6 have got very heated indeed......usually more at the nature of the training and plans rather than as a personal thing.but you will have to be prepared that not everyone is going to be all friendly and gushy.

if you decide to take a long weekend with your family you might well get some abuse or probing questions.........if you are the type of person that can't handle criticism or like people asking personal questions or even questioning your motives then maybe entering a competition where you are open to all this pressure for 4 months might not be the wisest thing to do....

but you will also get some great support and hopefully forge some great lasting friendships

Fair words of warning seren nos. It might be better for the Judges to look at competitors threads as DS2 suggests, then they'll get a better idea of whether the project will work on a social media front!

Am not too worried about some backlash if I get through, I have a thick skin. Criticism for missed training etc also might be great motivation for training!

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